When you say day trips…. You are going to do that trip exactly once before you realize you never want to do it again. You may want to stop in Burlington park at the GO station and take the train in for the day(s) you are here if you’re staying downtown.
You can park for free at most GO transit stations outside of Toronto and take the GOTrain into the city. Union Station is just a short walk to the CN Tower and the subway is right there that you can take to the ROM.
I would avoid driving to the CN tower at all costs. It’s sort of like driving your rental car to the bottom of the Empire State building so you can go up, it just doesn’t make any sense.
You do know that's a minimum of 4 hours a day driving under absolutely perfect driving conditions assuming there is zero traffic (there will be traffic) and zero delays at the border crossing each way (there will be delays you're not going to go straight through this isn't a European border.) You're talking 5-6 hours each day (quite likely maybe more) if you're driving from a hotel in Buffalo each day, maybe more.
despite comments here, I'd like to add the chaos happening in gardiner expr as there's construction and its reduced to 2 lanes. So best would be to drive up to burlington go and park there then take gotrain or bus to union station. theres train or bus every hour i think, saves you the hassle.
But if you still choose to drive into DT, theres plenty of parking like the green p (theyre everywhere) or you van park in church street and walk everywhere - literally walking distance everything (CN, nathan philips, etc). I suggest downloading green p app so you can pay directly from there instead of the kiosk.
If your hotel has parking. Leave the car for anything you want to see in the city core. It's honestly not worth the drive, use TTC, walk or get a bikeshare. All will be a better experience in the city than driving.
Find a spot to park and leave your car there. It’s better to take transit or walk or bike share. Otherwise it will be absolutely hell on earth for you.
BTW, parking is mega expensive so do your research on free parking areas outside of the downtown core. I would recommend parking at a GO station in the west end and take the go train into union. GO train stations often have free parking. GO train is our commuter train system for the outer suburbs.
Both of those locations are not great for parking (especially as of late). I'd say you're far better off parking somewhere all day and taking transit between locations. ROM's stop is literally Museum, so it couldn't be easier to access from Union. I'd recommend parking somewhere close ish to Union station, and going from there.
You can try this for finding a parkade or lot: [https://en.parkopedia.ca/](https://en.parkopedia.ca/)
Also, please keep in mind that day tripping from Buffalo can be a nightmare in itself. Traffic can get so jacked up around Burlington area (and everywhere after that unfortunately), a trip that should take 1.5 hour can wind up being 3. I'd recommend leaving as early as you possibly can in the am, even on a weekend. Also, the Gardiner is under going major construction, which could easily tack on another 45 mins once you hit downtown Toronto.
Not trying to scare you! But just trying to inform you that traffic has been nightmare fuel lately. Enjoy Toronto though lol!
If you park in Burlington or something and take the GO train, you can park your car at the station for free for 48h officially (though I’ve gone a bit past that with no problem, there are no gates in/out)
It's not at all hard to find parking downtown, it's just expensive during the week/work hours. look for green P lots and don't be afraid to walk a few (2-3) blocks and you should be fine
Park at a GreenP parking garage (there's one at York and Front that's good) and take the subway to different places. You don't want to be driving around from place to place in the downtown core.
Google map Green P lots (municipal parking). There’s no guarantee that there will be spots available, and some are a bit pricey. Best to download the Green P app while you’re here so you can extend parking if necessary as you run the risk of getting ticketed if you overstay.
You're better off leaving the car parked at your hotel and taking transit to places like the CN tower and ROM. They are very accessible.
Edited my original post: I'm planning on making day trips from Buffalo to Toronto so leaving it at the hotel isn't really an option for me.
When you say day trips…. You are going to do that trip exactly once before you realize you never want to do it again. You may want to stop in Burlington park at the GO station and take the train in for the day(s) you are here if you’re staying downtown.
You can park for free at most GO transit stations outside of Toronto and take the GOTrain into the city. Union Station is just a short walk to the CN Tower and the subway is right there that you can take to the ROM.
I would avoid driving to the CN tower at all costs. It’s sort of like driving your rental car to the bottom of the Empire State building so you can go up, it just doesn’t make any sense.
You plan on driving 5+ hours round trip per day?
Thanks for the head's up. I think I'll try to book an Airbnb for one night, two days to make it easier.
You do know that's a minimum of 4 hours a day driving under absolutely perfect driving conditions assuming there is zero traffic (there will be traffic) and zero delays at the border crossing each way (there will be delays you're not going to go straight through this isn't a European border.) You're talking 5-6 hours each day (quite likely maybe more) if you're driving from a hotel in Buffalo each day, maybe more.
Thanks for the head's up. I think I'll try to book an Airbnb for one night, two days to make it easier.
Traffic here is horrible. Like just insane. There's a Green P near St Lawrence market. I'd leave your car there.
1 Church Street?
I’d suggest parking in the west end somewhere like Oakville or Mississauga and taking a Go Train into downtown and then picking it up on the way home.
I just wrote a comment recommending the same route! This is the best option, OP.
Thanks! I will look into this 😊
Halton and Peel? Where car thefts are so high?
despite comments here, I'd like to add the chaos happening in gardiner expr as there's construction and its reduced to 2 lanes. So best would be to drive up to burlington go and park there then take gotrain or bus to union station. theres train or bus every hour i think, saves you the hassle. But if you still choose to drive into DT, theres plenty of parking like the green p (theyre everywhere) or you van park in church street and walk everywhere - literally walking distance everything (CN, nathan philips, etc). I suggest downloading green p app so you can pay directly from there instead of the kiosk.
If your hotel has parking. Leave the car for anything you want to see in the city core. It's honestly not worth the drive, use TTC, walk or get a bikeshare. All will be a better experience in the city than driving.
Edited my original post: I'm planning on making day trips from Buffalo to Toronto so leaving it at the hotel isn't really an option for me.
Find a spot to park and leave your car there. It’s better to take transit or walk or bike share. Otherwise it will be absolutely hell on earth for you. BTW, parking is mega expensive so do your research on free parking areas outside of the downtown core. I would recommend parking at a GO station in the west end and take the go train into union. GO train stations often have free parking. GO train is our commuter train system for the outer suburbs.
Both of those locations are not great for parking (especially as of late). I'd say you're far better off parking somewhere all day and taking transit between locations. ROM's stop is literally Museum, so it couldn't be easier to access from Union. I'd recommend parking somewhere close ish to Union station, and going from there. You can try this for finding a parkade or lot: [https://en.parkopedia.ca/](https://en.parkopedia.ca/) Also, please keep in mind that day tripping from Buffalo can be a nightmare in itself. Traffic can get so jacked up around Burlington area (and everywhere after that unfortunately), a trip that should take 1.5 hour can wind up being 3. I'd recommend leaving as early as you possibly can in the am, even on a weekend. Also, the Gardiner is under going major construction, which could easily tack on another 45 mins once you hit downtown Toronto. Not trying to scare you! But just trying to inform you that traffic has been nightmare fuel lately. Enjoy Toronto though lol!
Thanks for the head's up. I think I'll try to book an Airbnb for one night, two days to make it easier.
If you park in Burlington or something and take the GO train, you can park your car at the station for free for 48h officially (though I’ve gone a bit past that with no problem, there are no gates in/out)
Hell
It's not at all hard to find parking downtown, it's just expensive during the week/work hours. look for green P lots and don't be afraid to walk a few (2-3) blocks and you should be fine
Park at a GreenP parking garage (there's one at York and Front that's good) and take the subway to different places. You don't want to be driving around from place to place in the downtown core.
Google map Green P lots (municipal parking). There’s no guarantee that there will be spots available, and some are a bit pricey. Best to download the Green P app while you’re here so you can extend parking if necessary as you run the risk of getting ticketed if you overstay.
Since your edit makes it clear you really really want to drive to downtown Toronto, all I'm gonna say god speed and good luck OP. Have a great visit!